Band 6.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.5 · Cambridge IELTS 11 · 2026-09-22

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The table below shows the numbers of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after it was refurbished. The charts show the result of surveys asking visitors how satisfied they were with their visit, during the same two periods.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 6.5)

The table illustrates the total number of visitors to Ashdown Museum during the year before and the year after its infrastructural changes, while the pie charts indicate the outcomes of surveys of visitor satisfaction, during the same two periods.

Overall, the figure for the total number of visitors to Ashdown Museum increased after refurbishment of the museum. However, the results of visitor satisfaction improved after refurbishment and dissatisfaction of visitors decreased over the same period.

Before refurbishment of the museum, the percentage accounted for very dissatisfied visitors was 10% and for dissatisfied 40%. Additionally, 30% of visitors were satisfied with the museum and 15% accounted for very dissatisfied visitors.

Regarding the museum after refurbishment, the percentage of very dissatisfied (5%) and dissatisfied (15%) visitors decreased dramatically. Similarly, the figure for satisfied (40%) and very satisfied (35%) visitors experienced an impressive rally after refurbishment. Finally, the proportion of non-respondent visitors remained unchanged before and after refurbishment at approximately 5%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response — Band 6.0

The response covers all parts of the task effectively, including both the table detailing visitor numbers and the charts showing visitor satisfaction before and after refurbishment. An overview is successfully provided in the second paragraph, highlighting the increase in total visitor numbers and satisfaction levels alongside a decrease in dissatisfaction. Key features are accurately reported, such as the rise in visitor numbers from 74,000 to 92,000 and the shifts in satisfaction categories. However, there is a minor contradiction and inaccuracy in the third paragraph where the student states that '15% accounted for very dissatisfied visitors' right after stating the percentage for very dissatisfied was 10%, creating a repetition/confusion error (the 15% figure actually belonged to 'very satisfied' in the first period). Despite this slip, the core requirements of the task are well-managed.

Coherence and Cohesion — Band 6.5

The response presents a coherent overall arrangement with a clear logical progression from the introductory paraphrase to the overview, body paragraph on the initial period, and finally the concluding details on the subsequent period. Paragraphing is used appropriately to separate different aspects of the visual data. Cohesive devices are employed reasonably well, including transitional markers like 'Overall', 'However', and 'Finally'. Reference words are generally handled accurately, though the transition between sentences in the third paragraph feels slightly disjointed due to data confusion. Overall, the logical structure meets the requirements for a Band 7.

Lexical Resource — Band 6.0

The student demonstrates an adequate to sufficient range of vocabulary appropriate for an Academic Task 1 response, using terms such as 'infrastructural changes', 'proportion', 'non-respondent', and 'decreased dramatically'. Less common lexical items are attempted with some success, though there is a noticeable lexical confusion in the third paragraph ('15% accounted for very dissatisfied visitors' where 'very satisfied' was intended). Word choice and collocations are generally acceptable and do not impede communication, placing the response solidly in the Band 6.5 to 7 range.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy — Band 6.5

The response utilizes a mix of simple and complex sentence structures, including relative clauses and introductory prepositional phrases (e.g., 'Before refurbishment of the museum, the percentage accounted for...'). Grammatical accuracy is fairly high with a good proportion of error-free sentences, though minor awkwardness appears in phrasing such as 'the percentage accounted for very dissatisfied visitors'. Punctuation is handled correctly throughout, and errors do not impede communication. The control over grammar aligns well with the Band 7 descriptor.

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